A Heartfelt Tribute to Nature, Family, and Healing
Lake 22 is an emotional journey through grief, memory, and the healing power of the wild. David Johnston’s tribute to his father resonates deeply with anyone who finds solace in nature.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Can you imagine being eleven-years-old and camping alone at a lake on the side of a mountain in the remote wilderness? That was my dad’s experience, and that’s where he said he really found himself. It set the course for the rest of his life. He asked me to take his ashes after his death to Lake 22, a sweet high lake on Mount Pilchuck in Washington State. After he died, my mom was unable to join me on the trip. I wrote her a letter so she could share in the experience. I took photographs to share with her also.
A mentor read my letter and suggested I do “something more” and share I with others. I was intimidated by the idea and worried about creating something that would speak to people. But I became convinced that it was an important project and decided I should try. I was lucky to meet a wonderful editor and writer, Judy Kleinberg. I began writing and revising in earnest. A year later, Lake 22 was published.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Johnston grew up in Bellingham, Washington. He studied writing and photography at The Evergreen State College. David works mostly with medium format 120 film cameras: Holga, Lomo, Yashica. He seeks out the ethereal story in double exposures, and enjoys not taking credit for all the magic that comes through. He studied with Douglas Beasley and Tony Rizzuto, learning the slow meditative qualities of photography, strong mechanics and creative intention. David is grateful to Judy Kleinberg for her wisdom and guidance, editing Lake 22. He is writing his next book, about photography and relationships – interdependence through imagery.